Keeneland's Lexington Stakes usually can provide a 3-year-old with a way to catapult into the Kentucky Derby (G1) in the 24th hour of qualifying—but not this year. The Lexington offers 20 qualifying points to the winning horse, and none of the 11 entrants have accrued enough points to crack the 50 or more needed to run even if they were to win. So, while the Lexington may not fuel Derby dreams, it could uncover candidates for the Preakness Stakes (G1) or Belmont Stakes (G1).
The Lexington Stakes will air on both FS1 and FanDuel TV and stream on Keeneland's YouTube channel.
1. Corona de Oro: Comes in off a convincing maiden win in his fourth try. Would seem a big ask, but his two races this year earned good speed figures. Will be tested for class here.
JOCKEY: Brian J. Hernandez Jr.; TRAINER: Dallas Stewart
2. Exhibition Only: Was fourth in the Gotham Stakes (G3), and it doesn't look like the added distance will help him. Not much to like here.
JOCKEY: Ruben Silvera; TRAINER: Rudy Rodriguez
3. Decisive Win: Not understanding this one. Debuts with a fourth in a 6 1/2-furlong Santa Anita Park maiden race in mediocre time, and then his connections try a two-turn graded stakes on the other side of the country with the jockey tagging along? Works are solid, but I'll pass on him.
JOCKEY: Antonio Fresu; TRAINER: Doug O'Neill
4. Enforced Agenda: There was some buzz about him in the Jan 3. Jerome Stakes after a promising debut win. Was third and hasn't raced since then. Works are good, and he merits some attention.
JOCKEY: Javier Castellano; TRAINER: George Weaver
5. Mister T: Hunch play for "The A-Team" and "Rocky" fans. Undefeated on dirt, but has only faced Indiana-breds and won in slow times. Hasn't raced since November. To borrow a line from his namesake, I pity the fools who believe he can win.
JOCKEY: Mitchell Murrill; TRAINER: Climaco Galindo-Torres
6. Ramblin: Has won one of nine starts, and eight were on turf. He was beaten by almost 13 lengths in his lone dirt race. Pass.
JOCKEY: Mario Gutierrez; TRAINER: Bobby Barnett
7. The Hell We Did: Turned in a monster allowance win at Sunland Park in his 3-year-old debut. Has a trainer who knows how to develop a quality racehorse. Works are sharp. Considering his trainer does not ship East too often, deserves a long look.
JOCKEY: Luis Saez; TRAINER: Todd Fincher
8. Trendsetter: His best effort was on an all-weather surface. Has two wins in three tries on dirt, but the speed figures are bland. Seems like an ambitious spot.
JOCKEY: Kazushi Kimura; TRAINER: Ben Colebrook
9. Ezum: The ultimate Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde 3-year-old. Debuted in February at Gulfstream Park at 14-1 odds and was beaten by 24 1/2 lengths. Returned at Colonial Downs and was sent off at even-money odds with Flavien Prat riding and won by 19 1/2 lengths! Who's the real Ezum? Prat returns, so we'll label him a main contender.
JOCKEY: Flavien Prat; TRAINER: Brad Cox
10. Confessional: Has been facing the top 3-year-olds, so he gets some class relief. Can definitely make his presence felt in this field.
JOCKEY: Irad Ortiz Jr.; TRAINER: Brad Cox
11. I Did I Did: Missed by a neck last out in a Colonial Downs allowance optional claimer. Was seventh in the Remsen Stakes (G2) but fourth in the Street Sense Stakes (G3). Can't be ignored, but the outside post dampens interest in him.
JOCKEY: Juan Hernandez; TRAINER: Mike Maker
THE PICK: The Hell We Did
LIVE LONGSHOT: Enforced Agenda
SUPERFECTA: 7-10-9-4
